NCI ARTworks will host an exhibit and opening reception for award-winning artist Matt Jagitsch–of Black Sheep Studios–on Friday, May 13 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the NCI ARTworks Gallery in the historic Westclox Building. The event is free and all are welcome. The dramatic and exquisitely executed white-pencil-on-black-paper drawings of award-winning Sterling artist Matt Jagitsch of Black Sheep Studios will be on exhibit and available for purchase at the NCI ARTworks Gallery beginning Friday, May 13, 2022.

Jagitsch was raised in Jacksonville, Illinois. He attended one year at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield and then transferred to Eastern Illinois University, where he was an Art major with a studio option and an art history minor.

After a 28-year hiatus from the fine art world, during which he was a commercial painter, Jagitsch picked it back up during the pandemic. Since then, he has shown primarily in group shows at The Next Picture Show in Dixon, winning a few ribbons along the way. He has also shown at The Art Center of Highland Park Illinois, and worked with Niabi Zoo, creating prints of his wildlife pieces for their gift shop.

Jagitsch won Best in Show in the 72nd Annual Grand Detour Arts Festival and recently won Best in Show at the 73rd Annual Phidian Art Show in Dixon. He currently resides in Sterling, Illinois, with his wife, Michelle, of 28 years, with whom he has three sons: Nathan 27, Brandon 25, and Connor 15. Artist Statement: My work is exclusively white pencil on black paper. To me, it is a way to manually capture the dramatic, high contrast properties of black and white photography that I've always loved. Most of my work features wildlife and human portraits. Each one focuses on a certain intensity through eye contact with the viewer. I believe this creates an individual relationship with each piece for the observer. As they say, the eyes are the window to the soul.

Photo courtesy: @blacksheepstudio815 on Instagram